The arctic blast is going to continue its grip on Grand Rapids and West Michigan through Wednesday, the National Weather Service’s Grand Rapids office said Monday afternoon.

Snow and windy conditions are creating near-blizzard conditions and sub-zero temperatures with wind chills in the minus-20 degree range with a winter storm advisory across greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Highs are only expected to reach the single digits up to 10 degrees.

Schools, businesses and government offices are closed for Monday and Tuesday.

People are being asked to stay off roads and not travel, if at all possible.

Snowfall over the weekend for a 48-hour period through this morning was 12.2 inches near Hastings; 11.8 inches in Kalamazoo; 10.8 inches in Hopkins; and nearly 9 inches on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus, in Dutton and East Grand Rapids, the National Weather Service reported. Six inches fell in Holland and Muskegon.

The forecast today is calling for snow showers, with accumulations of one to three inches. The lows expected to reach near 5 below zero, with winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour and gusting to about 30 mph generating wind chills of up to 26 below zero.

The Tuesday forecast is for snow showers, with another one to three inches of snow, gusting winds, temperatures hovering at 5 to 10 above zero with wind chills during the day of 16 to 26 below zero and dropping to 3 to 10 below zero overnight.

On Wednesday, more snow is expected with a 30 percent chance. Highs are to reach the upper teens and lows zero to 5 above.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center was partially activated on Sunday night because of the wintry blast.
The Michigan State Police and National Weather Service have issued safety warnings. To keep safe during frigid weather, stay indoors if possible. If you’re going outside, wear protective gear. Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

It's so dangerous that Berrien and Cass counties were under a blizzard warning today.